In August 2013, Madison, WI was recognized as an official ‘Bird City’ by the Bird City Wisconsin Project! This designation indicates the city of Madison’s dedication to working with residents to make our city an ideal habitat for people and birds alike, as well as other wildlife. In honor of Madison’s recent recognition, Madison Parks is working in collaboration with the Madison Audubon Society, the Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Friends of Lakeview Hill to host the city of Madison and the village of Maple Bluff’s first Bird City Celebration! This event will be held on Sunday, September 29, at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Dr. and neighboring parks with family-friendly activities beginning at 11 AM and concluding at 7 PM.
Bird City Celebration Schedule – September 29
https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/about/birdcity.cfm
11a.m. – Kids Bird Song and Puppet Parade, WPCRC
11:30a.m. – Official Bird City Flag Ceremony, WPCRC
Noon – Talk: Migratory birds in your back yard, WPCRC
12:30p.m. – Hoo’s Woods Raptors and more kids activities, Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave.
1p.m. – Talk: Kids and Catbirds in Warner Park
2p.m. – Guided Walk: Wild Side of Warner Park, meet at Warner Park Shelter
2p.m. – Talk: Four Lakes Bird and Baby Rescue, WPCRC
3p.m. – Talk: Looking Back and Visions Ahead, WPCRC
3-5p.m. – Hayrides :$2/person at Cherokee Marsh, 6098 N. Sherman Ave.
3p.m. – Village of Maple Bluff Celebration, Maple Bluff Marina, 1321 Farwell Dr., Youth Sailing Boat House
4p.m. – Walk: Trails and Tales, Lakeview Hill Park, 1200 Northport Dr.
5-7p.m. – Walk: Birds of Cherokee Marsh, led by Madison Parks staff, Cherokee Marsh, 6098 N. Sherman Ave.
The city of Madison is one of Wisconsin’s leaders in exhibiting environmentally sustainable practices and this Bird City recognition is aligned perfectly with Madison’s goals. “Madison Parks is proud to receive the designation of Bird City Wisconsin,” says Kevin Briski, Madison Parks Superintendent. “One of the missions of Madison Parks is to conserve the natural resources of our parkland, and we see this designation as helping to fulfill that mission.”
Modeled after the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Tree City USA” program, the Bird City Wisconsin Project aims to encourage Wisconsin communities to implement practices that promote the conservation of birds and to educate their citizens on living ‘bird-conscious’ lives. In order to be recognized as an official Bird City, a community must meet certain conservation criteria spread across five categories: Creation and Protection of Habitat, Promoting Effective Community Forestry Management, Limiting or Removing Hazards to Birds, Public Education, and Celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. Madison has met many of these criteria by implementing practices such as acquiring natural area for the conservation park system, successfully limiting the amount of bird deaths due to window strikes, and educating the public on the healthy implications of having a bird-friendly community.